Method of transporting cigarettes or the like

ABSTRACT

Cigarettes which are discharged lengthwise from the cutoff of a rod cigarette machine are fed into successive flutes of a revolving drum and are arrested and located in predetermined axial positions by forces produced by two or more streams of compressed air and/or suction air. The resultant of forces acting upon a cigarette in predetermined position is zero. A stationary shroud seals from the atmosphere the outer sides of those flutes which receive cigarettes from the cutoff and while the cigarettes in such flutes are acted upon to assume predetermined positions. Each cigarette can be biased against the adjoining surface of the respective flute by atmospheric air which is admitted through openings provided in the shroud.

United States atent n 1 Rudszinat et al.

[451 May as, 1974 METHOD OF TRANSPORTING 3,039,590 6/1962 Best 198/31 AACIGARETTES 0 THE LHKE 3,513,619 5/1970 Kochalaski et a1 302/2 R X 75Inventors: Willy Rudszinat, Dassendorf; Dieter OTHER PUBLlCATlONSLudszeweit, Hamburg, both of IBM Technical Disclosure, Vol. 2, No. 5,Feb., 1960. Germany H. K. Hazel, Article Transport and Locating Device.[73] Asslgnee: gzg gz fgg igz zg ig Primary ExaminerEvon C. Blunk g g yAssistant Examiner-W. Scott Carson [22] Filed: June 16, 1970 Attorney,Agent, or Firm-Michael S. Striker [21] Appl. No.: 46,623 I ABSTRAQTRelated Appllcam Data Cigarettes which are discharged lengthwise fromthe [62] Division of Ser. No. 744,9 5, July 6 No cutoff of a rodcigarette machine are fed into succes- 3,535,003- sive flutes of arevolving drum and are arrested and located in predetermined axialpositions by forces pro- Foreign Appllcatlon pl'lol'lty Dam duced by twoor more streams of compressed air and- July 21, 1967 England 33791/67/or suction air. The resultant of forces acting upon a cigarette inpredetermined position is zero. A station- [52] 11.8. CI. 198/31 AA,198/211, 302/31 ary shroud seals from the atmosphere the outer sides[51] Int. Cl. 865g 29/00, 865g 47/30 of those flutes which receivecigarettes from the cutoff [58] Field of Search..... 198/22 C, 31 AA,209, 211,- and while the cigarettes in such flutes are acted upon198/25; 302/2 R, 29, 31 to assume predetermined positions. Eachcigarette can be biased against the adjoining surface of the respec-[56] References Cited tive flute by atmospheric air which is admittedUNITED STATES PATENTS through openings provided in the shroud,

3,039,589 6/1962 Molins et a1. 198/31 AA 3 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures -2sm-f W54 1 A r We; .2? a .3

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IN VENTORS IM-v. Kane u wnilhe-rcnlvrsgsuclr ATTORNEY METHOD OFTRANSPORTENG CIGARETTES OR THE LIKE CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATEDAPPLICATION This is a division of our copending application Ser. No.744,995 filed July 15, 1968 now US. Pat. No. 3,535,003 granted Oct. 20,I970 and assigned to the same assignee.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method oftransporting cigarettes or other types of rod-shaped commodities, eithersingly or in groups of two or more, for example, packs which containpredetermined numbers of cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos or othertobaccocontaining rod-shaped commodities.

Modern cigarette machines are designed to produce several thousandcigarettes per minute. Such highspeed machines can be operated atmaximum rate of speed only if they are equipped or combined withmechanisms or apparatus which can properly accept, transport andposition cigarettes at the same rate at which the cigarettes issue fromthe cut-off, i.e., from that part of a cigarette machine which severs acontinuous cigarette rod into sections of unit length or multiple unitlength. As a rule, apparatus which accept cigarettes from the cutoff aredesigned to convert a single file of cigarettes which move lengthwise(axially) into one or more rows of cigarettes which travel sideways.Such apparatus comprise a fluted drum whose flutes receive cigarettesfrom the cutoff and move the cigarettes sideways by simultaneouslycausing each cigarette to assume a predetermined position prior to beingtransferred onto a catcher belt or into the flutes of a further drum.

The main problem which is encountered in presently known apparatus is toproperly locate cigarettes in the flutes of the drum so that thecigarettes are properly aligned and form one or more rows before theyreach the catcher band. The flutes of conventional drums are normallyprovided with mechanical stops which arrest the cigarettes inpredetermined axial positions. This proposal is not satisfactory whenthe cigarettes enter the flutes at a high. speed because they are causedto impact against the stops with a force which results in deformationand/or rebounding so that the final axial positions of cigarettes cannotbe determined in advance with a requisite degree of accuracy. Morerecent proposals (see U.S. Pat. No. 3,039,590 to Best) include theprovision of mechanical brakes-which arrest the cigarettes before theyreach the stops, and the provision of nozzles which produce streams ofsuction air or compressed air to shift the cigarettes (whose axialmovement was terminated in response to mechanical braking action) allthe way into abutment with the respective stops. It was found that thestops are still likely to deform the wrappers and/or the fillers ofcigarettes and that the cigarettes are still likely to rebound when theyare either blown or sucked into actual abutment with the stops.Furthermore, the mechanical braking devices often damage, smudge and/ordeform the wrappcrs.

British Pat. No. 651,679 to Dank discloses a drum wherein a suctionchamber draws air through orifices provided in the stops so that thecigarettes are caused to adhere to and are prevented from rebounding onimpact against the respective stops. This proposal failed to findwidespread acceptance because the streams of suction air which pullcigarettes against the stops must be very strong when the drum receivescigarettes at rapidly following intervals so that the cigarettes areinvariably damaged or at least deformed when they impact against therespective stops.

Additional problems arise during acceleration of a cigarette machine tonormal operating speed when the cigarettes enter the flutes at differentspeeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of our invention to provide amethod of transporting cigarettes or other types of rod-shapedcommodities in such a way that the axial or lengthwise movement ofcommodities can be terminated without resorting to mechanical brakesand/or stops and with a high degree of accuracy.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method according towhich cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped commodities can be transportedand properly located by resorting exclusively to streams of compressedair and/or suction air.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method according towhich the commodities can be properly located and transported at thesame rate at which they issue from a modern cigarette machine when suchmachine operates at a maximum rate of speed.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a method accordingto which the commodities are treated gently and which can be employed toconvert a single file of axially moving commodities into one or morerows of commodities which move sideways and wherein each commodity ofeither row is properly aligned with all other commodities of the samerow.

The improved method comprises the steps of conveying each of a series ofcommodities (e.g., each of a single file of cigarettes which advancepast the cutoff of a rod cigarette machine) lengthwise in a directiontoward a predetermined position; and subjecting such commodities to theaction of forces produced by a plurality of gas which act on thecommodities in and counter to the aforementioned direction to locateeach commodity in the respective predetermined axial position. Thearrangement is preferably such that the resultant of forces acting uponthe commodities in the respective predetermined positions is zero, i.e.,the resultant of forces acting upon a commodity which is outside of orremote from the respective predetermined position imparts to thecommodity a movement toward the predetermined position.

in accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of our invention,each commodity is moved along an elongated path which is at leastsubstantially sealed from the surrounding atmosphere. For example, the

two gas streams may be two suction air streams which the purview of ourinvention to employ a suction air stream which enters the respectivepath from the atmosphere in the direction of movement of thecorresponding commodity and leaves the path by flowing substantiallytransversely of the moving commodity, and a stream of compressed airwhich flows lengthwise of the path counter to the direction of movementof the commodity so that the first stream pulls the commodity toward andpropels it beyond the predetermined position and the second streamopposes the movement of the commodity to such position.

At least one of the streams can leave the respective path by flowingtransversely of and along at least a substantial portion of thecircumference of the commodity. The conveying step may comprise movingthe commodities along guide surfaces and the method may include theadditional step of increasing friction between the commodities and thecorresponding guide surfaces to thereby brake the commodities on theirway toward ultimate axial positions. The friction increasing step mayinclude subjecting the commodities to air pressure acting thereontransversely of the direction of movement toward predetermined positionsto bias the commodities against the guide surfaces. The conveying stepis preferably carried out by resorting to a drum whose flutes defineelongated paths for successive commodities and wherein the commoditiesmove sideways, at least during travel toward predetermined positions.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Thetransporting apparatus itself, however, both as to its construction andits mode of operation, will be best understood upon perusal of thefollowing detailed description of certain specific embodiments withreference to the accompanying draw- BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGFIG. 1 is a plan view of a portion of a transporting apparatus forcigarettes which can be employed in the practice of our method;

FIG. 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view as seen in the directionof arrows from the line IIII OF FIG.

FIG. 3 is an axial sectional view as seen in the direction of arrowsfrom the line lII-III of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partly sectional view of a detail I DESCRIPTION OFTHE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrate the essential parts ofan apparatus which is utilized to convert a single file of axiallymoving cigarettes 34 into two rows of cigarettes wherein the cigarettestravel sideways. Such apparatus may be used with advantage incombination with or in a rod cigarette machine, or as a link between arod cigarette machine and a filter cigarette machine.

- The apparatus comprises a conveyor in the form of a drum 1 whichrotates about a horizontal axis and carries an annulus of equidistantaxially parallel inserts 3 secured thereto by screws 2 or analogousfasteners. The drum 1 resembles a hollow cylinder and has an internalannular flange 4 which is integral with a hub 6 fitted onto one end of adrive shaft 7 and secured thereto for rotary movement by a key 8.. Theshaft 7 is rotatable in antifriction bearings 9, 11 which are mounted ina stationary bearing sleeve 12 and are held apart by a distancing sleeve53. The bearing sleeve 12 is secured to a stationary frame member 20 ofa conventional rod cigarette machine by screws 13. The drive for thedrum 1 further comprises a gear 14 which is secured to the shaft 7 by akey 52 and a bolt 51. The gear 14 derives motion from the motor of thecigarette cutoff in the rod cigarette machine, for example, by way of agear train or by way of an endless chain. Walls l5, l6 and 17 which areaffixed to the bearing sleeve 12 define with the latter a stationaryannular suction chamber 18 which communicates with a second annularsuction chamber 21 by way of openings 19 provided in the wall 15. Thesecond suction chamber 21 communicates with a suction channel 23 of theframe member 20 by way of an opening 22 in a flange of the bearingsleeve 12. The channel 23 is connected to a suction fan, a suction pumpor another suitable suction generating device 230.

The inserts 3 on the periphery of the drum 1 define elongated flutes orchannels 24 in which the cigarettes 34 advance lengthwise whilesimultaneously moving sideways. The depth of each flute 24 approximatesor slightly exceeds the diameter of a cigarette. The open outer sides ofcertain flutes 24 are sealed from the surrounding atmosphere by a shroud26 which extends along an arc of approximately see FIG. 2. It will benoted that the shroud 26 has been omitted in FIG. 1; this shroud alsoseals the adjoining flutes 24 from each other. Stationary guides orshields 54 are secured to the shroud 26 and/or to the frame member 20and extend beyond both ends of the shroud, as considered in thecircumferential direction of the drum 1. These shields 54 serve to holdcigarettes 34 in the respective flutes 24 in the region downstream ofthe shroud 26.

Each insert 3 comprises several aligned sections or portions whichdefine between themselves arcuate recesses or ports 27, 28 or 29, 31.These ports serve to permit evacuation of air from the respective flutes24, i.e., to draw two suction air streams from opposite axial ends ofthe passages defined by those flutes 24 which travel along the shroud26. It will be noted that the ports 27, 28 alternate with ports 29, 31,as considered in the circumferential direction of the drum 1 and areaxially staggered with reference to each other. This is best shown inFIG. 1 wherein the ports 27, 28 in alternate flutes 24 are located in afirst pair of parallel planes making a right angle with the axis of thedrum 1, and the ports 29, 31 are located in a second pair of parallelplanes which also make a right angle with the drum axis. Each flute 24which communicates with a pair of ports 27, 28 is flanked by two fluteswhich communicate with a pair of ports 29, 31, and vice versa. It willbe noted that each of the ports 27, 28, 29, 31 extends all the wayaround the circumference of the respective flute 24 so that a cigarette34 which extends across one of these ports can be subjected to suctionwhich acts on its wrapper along an arc of at least 180.

The cylindrical wall of the drum 1 is formed with elongated axiallyparallel slots or cutouts 32 each of which communicates with one of theports 27, 28, 29, 31 and each of which also communicates with thesuction chamber 18 while advancing along the inner side of the shroud26. The distance between a pair of ports 27, 28 or 29, 31 equals orapproximates the length of a cigarette 34; such distance is measuredfrom the remotest point of a port 27 or 29 to the remotest point of thecorresponding port 28 or 31. The cutoff of the rod cigarette machinecomprises a tubular outlet 33 which consitutes a feed for cigarettes 34and registers with the intake ends of successive flutes 24 when the drum1 rotates. FIG. 4 shows that the discharge end of the outlet 33 isprovided with an internal chamfer 57 and that the intake ends of theinserts 3 are also provided with chamfers 56 to facilitate the travel ofcigarettes 34 from the outlet or feed into the respective flutes 24.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the wall 16 of the suction chamber 18 has anarcuatewindow or opening 16a whose circumferential length approximatesthat of and which registers with the shroud 26 to permit communicationof adjoining ports 27, 28, 29 and 31 with the chamber 18. Thus, suctionis effective only in those ports and in those slots 32 which areadjacent to the inner side of the shroud 26.

The operation is as follows:

The gear 14 drives the shaft 7 and drum 1 in synchronism with the cutoffof the rod cigarette machine. As is known from the art of rod cigarettemachines, the cutoff servers a continuous cigarette rod which issuesfrom the machine to form a single file of discrete cigarettes 34 of unitlength of multiple unit length.

The suction generating device 23a evacuates air from the chamber 18 andproduces two suction air streams A1 and A2 the first of which flowsthrough the outlet 33, into the registering flute 24 and port 28 or 31to pass through the respective slot 32 and to ultimately enter thechamber 18 whence it is withdrawn by way of openings 19, chamber 21,opening or openings 22 and channel 23. The other air stream A2 enters atthe open left-hand end of each flute 24 which registers with the shroud26 and flows along the flute 24, through the port 27 or 29, through thecorresponding slot 32 and into the suction chamber 18 to be withdrawnfrom this chamber by way of openings 19, 22, chamber 21 and channel 23.The streams A1 and A2, which flow in opposite directions, are combinedinto a composite or main stream A3 on entry into the chamber 18 which isevacuated by way of the channel 23. When a cigarette 34 enters theintake end of a flute 24 by way of the outlet 33, it is immediatelysubjected to the action of the air stream A1 which draws or pulls ittoward the center of the corresponding flute 24. Such cigarette is thenalso subjected to the action of the second air stream A2 and theresultant of forces produced by these air streams is zero when thecigarette 34 comes to rest between the corresponding ports 27, 28 or 29,31. Such position of a cigarette 34 is shown in FIG. 3. If the flutes 24are sufficiently long, the initial speed at which the cigarettes 34advance toward the drum 1 under the action of the rod cigarette machineis of no consequence because the air stream A1 determines the speed atwhich a cigarette advances into and along the respective flute 24 towardits ultimate position. Therefore, the cutoff of the rod cigarettemachine need not be provided with a kicker, e.g., an eccentric roller orwheel (shown at 506 in P16. 8) which is normally required in connectionwith delivery of cigarettes from the cutoff to conventional transportingapparatus. Since the ports 29, 31 are staggered with reference to theports 27, 28, the drum 1 automatically assembles the cigarettes in tworows which advance sideways, first along the inner side of the shroud 26and thereupon along the guides 54, to be discharged or otherwisetransferred onto a customary catcher belt 5 a portion of which is shownin FIG. 2. The axial spacing of the ports 28, 29 is such that the tworows of cigarettes 34 on the catcher band 5 are separated from eachother by a distance which suffices to permit insertion of filter rodsections of double unit length.

Each cigarette 34 which enters a flute 24 in communication with a pairof ports 27, 28 is followed by a cigarette which enters a flute 24 incommunication with a pair of ports 29, 31. It is clear that the catcherband 5 can be replaced by a transfer drum which delivers two rows ofcigarettes to the assembly drum of a filter cigarette machine or toanother destination.

FIG. 5 illustrates a portion of a second apparatus wherein the drum 101carries an annulus of inserts 10 forming axially parallel flutes 124(only one shown).

ing 142. The chamber 118 is a plenum chamber, i.e.,

it isconnected to a compressor or another suitable source of compressedair, and communicates with the flutes 124 by way of three inclined slots143, 144, 146 machined into the drum 1111 and ports 127, 128, 141provided in the inserts 1113. The inclination of slots 143, 144 is suchthat the streams of compressed air which issue from the chamber 118 andpass through the corresponding ports 123, 127 have components C1, C2acting upon cigarettes 134 in the longitudinal direction of therespective flutes 124. The components C1, C2 flow in oppositedirections. The left-hand ends of the flutes 124 are sealed from theatmosphere by suitable lids or flanges 10321 of the respective inserts1113. The slots 146 discharge into successive ports 141 air streamshaving components C3 acting in the longitudinal direction of therespective flutes 124 and escaping through the opening 142 of the shroud126. The ports in alternate flutes 124 of the drum 1111 can be staggeredin the same way as shown for the ports 27, 28 and 29, 31 of FIG. 1, Le,the drum 101 can also form two rows of cigarettes 134 which travelsideways along and beyond the shroud 126.

When the outlet (not shown) of a cutoff in a rod cigarette machinedelivers a cigarette 134 into the flute 124 shown in FIG. 3, preferablyby resorting to an eccentric accelerating wheel of the type shown at 506in FlG. 8, the leading end of the cigarette 134 travels beyond the ports128, 127 so that it enters the path of the air stream issuing from theport 141 and flowing toward the opening 142. Such cigarette then sealsor nearly seals the ports 127, 128 so that it is subjected mainly to theaction of the component C3 which pushes it back toward the intake end ofthe flute 124 until the thus returned cigarette permits air to flow fromthe port 141 into the opening 142. The communication between the port141 and opening 142 is established when the cigarette moves to the rightbeyond the discharge end of the slot 143 so that it is then acted uponby the components C1, C2 of air streams which issue from the ports 127,128. The resultant of forces produced by components C1, C2 is zero whenthe cigarette 134 assumes the final or predetermined position which isshown in FIG. 5. The component C3 cannot exert undue influence on thefinal position of the cigarette 134 when the latter permits air to flowfrom the port 141 into the opening 142. In its final position, thecigarette 134 is located substantially midway between the ports 127,128.

FIG. 6 shows a portion of a third apparatus having a drum 201 withinserts 203 which defineflutes 224 travelling along a shroud 226. Theslots 243, 244 of the drum 201 (and hence the corresponding ports 227,228 in the flutes 224) are respectively connected to a plenum chamberand a suction chamber so that the stream of compressed air issuing fromthe port 227 has an axially oriented component D1 which flows toward theintake end of the flute and the suction chamber draws a stream D2 of airflowing from the intake end of the flute and thereupon radially inwardlythrough the port 228 and slot 244. Air entering by way of theintake endof the flute 224 is drawn from the atmosphere.

The cigarette 234 is propelled into the flute 224 by an acceleratingdevice of the cutoff and advancesbeyond the port 228 so that it movestoward the port 227 and is subjected to the braking action of the airstream issuing from the plenum chamber. Such air stream pushes thecigarette 234 back and its force is balanced by the force of the streamD2 when the cigarette moves substantially midway between the ports 227,228.

It will be seen that the distance between the ports 127, 128 of FIG. 5and ports 227, 228 of FIG. 6 exceeds the length of a cigarette 134 or234. In FIGS. 1-4

the distance between a pair of ports 27, 28 or 29, 31 approximates thelength of a cigarette 34. FIG. 7 illustrates a fourth apparatus whereinthe distance between the ports 327, 328 in the flute 324 of the drum 301is less than the length of a cigarette 334. The ports 327, 328 areconnected to a suction chamber 318 and the forces produced by suctionair streams which are drawn through these ports balance each other whenthe center of the cigarette 334 is located substantially midway betweenthe ports.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, there is shown a further transportingapparatus which comprises a conveyor in the form of a rotary drum 401having flutes 424 and being rotatable adjacent to the inner side of anarcuate shroud 426. The transfer station where the cigarettes enter theintake ends of passages defined by successive flutes 424 is shown at D;such cigarettes are propelled into the flutes from a trough-shapedoutlet or feed 433 of the cutoff in response to impulses received froman eccentric accelerating wheel 506. The shroud 426 has four openings501a, 501b, 501a, 501d which are spaced from each other in the axialdirection of the drum 401. The length of the openings 5010-50111 (asseen in the circumferential direction of the drum 401) increases in adirection away from the outlet 433. The arrow 502 indicates thedirection in which the drum 401 rotates. Lids 503, 504 are respectivelyadjacent to the longitudinal ends E, F of those flutes 424 which advancefrom the transfer station D and along the shroud 426 in the directionindicated by arrow 502. The lid 503 extends close to the station D butthe lid 504 begins to seal the left-hand ends of flutes 424 only aftersuch flutes advance through a predetermined angle beyond a position ofregistry with the outlet 433. The lids serve to influence the flow ofair in the adjoining flutes. The accelerating wheel 506 is rotated insynchronism with the cutoff.

The flutes 424 of the drum 401 include two groups of alternating flutes424a, 424b, and the flutes 424a are formed with radial ports or ducts507 which communicate with axially parallel bores 508 of the drum. Thebores 508 are free to communicate with the atmosphere excepting in theregion'of the transfer station I) which accommodates a stationarysealing member 509 shown in FIG. 9. The shroud 426 is mounted on acarrier 511 and the lids 503, 504 are respectively secured to astationary frame member by brackets 512, 513. The flutes 424a areprovided with ports 427, 428 and the flutes 424b are provided with ports429, 431. The distance between the ports 427, 428 and outlet 433 exceedsthat between the outlet and ports 429, 431.

Cigarettes are propelled into successive flutes by the wheel 506 whoseoperation is synchronized with the operation of drive for the drum 401so that each cigarette finds its way into the intake end of one of theflutes. Full transfer of cigarettes into the flutes 424 is assisted bystreams of suction air which are being drawn through the ports 427, 428or 429, 431. The openings 50la-501d of the shroud 426 admit atmosphericair which exerts a pressure on the wrappers and hence a braking actionby urging the cigarettes into frictional engagement with the surfaces ofrespective flutes 424. The lids 503, 504 insure proper distribution ofair pressure in elongated passages defined by the flutes 424 and shroud426 while the flutes travel along the inner side of the shroud. Suchdesirable distribution of air pressure will develop despite the factthat the disposition of ports 427, 428 and 429, 431 is not symmetricalwith reference to the drum 401. Proper distribution of air pressure isfurther assisted by ducts 507 and bores 508 which compensate fordifferences in pressure arising due to the fact that the ports 427, 428are staggered with reference to the ports 429, 431 and are more distantfrom the outlet 433. The bores 508 admit additional atmospheric air assoon as they advance beyond the sealing member 509.

Since the flutes of the drums shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 are not providedwith mechanical stops for the cigarettes, the cigarettes are not likelyto lose tobacco at the ends. Furthermore, the apparatus can arrest eachcigarette in a predetermined position irrespective of the speed ofoncoming cigarettes, and the air streams which brake and locate thecigarettes in their flutes can also assist the cigarettes during entryinto the flutes. When the cigarettes are sucked into the flutes, theaccelerating device which is used in conventional cutoffs can bedispensed with. Friction between the cigarettes and their flutes can beenhanced by air (openings 50la-501d) to insure rapid and accuratepositioning of cigarettes without any damage to their wrappers. It wasfound that air streams which act upon the cigarettes to locate them indesired positions cause the cigarettes to lose much less tobacco at theends than in conventional apparatus which are equipped with mechanicalstops and/or wherein the cigarettes are mechanically braked duringmovement toward stops and are thereupon sucked or blown into actualabutment with the stops.

It is further clear that the method of the present invention can bepracticed with equal advantage in connection with the transportation andpositioning of filter rods, filter rod sections, filter cigarettes,cigarillos, ci-

gars, cheroots or other rod-shaped articles as well as fortransportation and positioning of cigarette packs and- /or othercommodities. When the illustrated apparatus is used in connection withfilter rods or filter rod sections, it can be arranged to transport rodswhich issue from filter rod machines or to transport rods or rodsections which issue from pneumatic tubes or the like. Of course, theconfiguration of flutes is different when the apparatus is used totransport packs or analogous commodities which do not resemble rods orsections of rods. Finally, the inserts can form integral parts of therespective drums, i.e., the flutes can be machined directly into theperipheral surfaces of such drums. Also, the drums can be replaced byother types of conveyors, for example, by chains or belts which carryannuli of flutes. Each of the illustrated apparatus is preferablyprovided with valves or other suitable means for regulating the flow,pressure and/or other characteristics of the air streams.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge,readily adapt it for various applications without omitting featureswhich fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic andspecific aspects of our contribution to the art and, therefore, suchadaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within themeaning and range of equivalence of the claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent isset forth in the appended claims:

1. A method of transporting cigarettes or analogous commodities,comprising the steps of conveying successive commodities of a series ofcommodities lengthwise in a direction toward predetermined positions ona guide surface which moves substantially at right angles to thedirection of lengthwise movement of commodities, said conveying stepcomprising moving each of the commodities along an elongated path whichis at least substantially sealed from the surrounding atmosphere;subjecting successively conveyed commodities to the braking andpositioning action of forces produced by a plurality of gas streamswhich act on the commodities in and counter to said direction to thuslocate each commodity in the respective predetermined position while thecommodity moves sideways with the guide surface, said gas streamsincluding two suction air streams which enter said paths lengthwise andleave the respective paths by flowing substantially transversely of saiddirection; holding the thus located commodities in said predeterminedpositions while the commodities continue to move sideways; andseparating the commodities from the guide surface by moving thecommodities sideways while maintaining such commodities in therespective predetermined positions.

2. A method of transporting cigarettes or analogous commodities,comprising the steps of conveying successive commodities of a series ofcommodities lengthwise in a direction toward predetermined positions ona guide surface which moves substantially at right angles to thedirection of lengthwise movement of commodities, said conveying stepcomprising moving each of the commodities along an elongated path whichis at least substantially sealed from the surrounding atmosphere;subjecting successively conveyed commodities to the'braking andpositioning action of forces produced by a plurality of gas streamswhich act on the commodities in and counter to said direction to thuslocate each commodity in the respective predetermined position while thecommodity moves sideways with the guide surface, said gas streamsincluding two streams of compressed air which flow along the respectivepaths in opposite directions; holding the thus located commodities insaid predetermined positions while the commodities continue to movesideways; and separating the commodities from the guide surface bymoving the commodities sideways while maintaining such commodities inthe respective predetermined positions.

3. A method of transporting cigarettes or analogous commodities,comprising the steps of conveying successive commodities of a series ofcommodities lengthwise in a direction toward predetermined positions ona guide surface which moves substantially at right angles to thedirection of lengthwise movement of com modities, said conveying stepcomprising moving each of the commodities along an elongated path whichis at least substantially sealed from the surrounding atmosphere;subjecting successively conveyed commodities to the braking andpositioning action of forces produced by a plurality of gas streamswhich act on the commodities in and counter to said direction to thuslocate each commodity in the respective predetermined position while thecommodity moves sideways with the guide surface, said gas streamsincluding a suction air stream which enters the respective path from theatmosphere in said direction and leaves the path by flowingsubstantially transversely of such direction and a stream of compressedair which flows lengthwise of the respective path; holding the thuslocated commodities in said predetermined positions while thecommodities continue to move sideways; and separating the commoditiesfrom the guide surface by moving the commodities sideways whilemaintaining such commodities in the respective predetermined positions.

* a a =l=

1. A method of transporting cigarettes or analogous commodities,comprising the steps of conveying successive commodities of a series ofcommodities lengthwise in a direction toward predetermined positions ona guide surface which moves substantially at right angles to thedirection of lengthwise movement of commodities, said conveying stepcomprising moving each of the commodities along an elongated path whichis at least substantially sealed from the surrounding atmosphere;subjecting successively conveyed commodities to the braking andpositioning action of forces produced by a plurality of gas streamswhich act on the commodities in and counter to said direction to thuslocate each commodity in the respective predetermined position while thecommodity moves sideways with the guide surface, said gas streamsincluding two suction air streams which enter said paths lengthwise andleave the respective paths by flowing substantially transversely of saiddirection; holding the thus located commodities in said predeterminedpositions while the commodities continue to move sideways; andseparating the commodities from the guide surface by moving thecommodities sideways while maintaining such commodities in therespective predetermined positions.
 2. A method of transportingcigarettes or analogous commodities, comprising the steps of conveyingsuccessive commodities of a series of commodities lengthwise in adirection toward predetermined positions on a guide surface which movessubstantially at right angles to the direction of lengthwise movement ofcommodities, said conveying step comprising moving each of thecommodities along an elongated path which is at least substantiallysealed from the surrounding atmosphere; subjecting successively conveyedcommodities to the braking and positioning action of forces produced bya plurality of gas streams which act on the commodities in and counterto said direction to thus locate each commodity in the respectivepredetermined position while the commodity moves sideways with the guidesurface, said gas streams including two streams of compressed air whichflow along the respective paths in opposite directions; holding the thuslocated commodities in said predetermined positions while thecommodities continue to move sideways; and separating the commoditiesfrom the guide surface by moving the commodities sideways whilemaintaining such commodities in the respective predetermined positions.3. A method of transporting cigarettes or analogous commodities,comprising the steps of conveying successive commodities of a series ofcommodities lengthwise in a direction toward predetermined positions ona guide surface which moves substantially at right angles to thedirection of lengthwise movement of commodities, said conveying stepcomprising moving each of the commodities along an elongated path whichis at least substantially sealed from the surrounding atmosphere;subjecting successively conveyed commodities to the braking andpositioning action of forces produced by a plurality of gas streamswhich act on the commodities in and counter to said direction to thuslocate each commodity in the respective predetermined position while thecommodity moves sideways with the guide surface, said gas streamsincluding a suction air stream which enters the respective path from theatmosphere in said direction and leaves the path by flowingsubstantially transversely of such direction and a stream of compressedair which flows lengthwise of the respective path; holding the thuslocated commodities in said predetermined positions while thecommodities continue to move sideways; and separating the commoditiesfrom the guide surface by moving the commodities sideways whilemaintaining such commodities in the respective predetermined positions.